Author: Lucie Whitehouse
By Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

• New
• Mint Condition
• Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon
• Guaranteed packaging
• No quibbles returns

Beautifully written, 2010-07-29
I generally tend to avoid psychological thrillers but this fell into the mild category and wasn't scary enough to keep me up at night. Having been nominated as one of the TV Book Club Summer Reads for 2010, it was displayed prominantly in my local library so I thought I'd give it a go.
It was a good read, well written but only 4 1/2 stars due to the slightly rushed ending.

There were several threads to this story, firstly Kate's meeting and developing relationship with Richard who she meets at a Soho bar. The love scenes were beautifully done, Richard sounded absolutely adorable although we sense from the start that all is not as it appears.
Secondly there was Kate's life on the Isle of Wight - not the summery, tourist laden island but the wintry, atmospheric version that was so well described that it almost became an additional character in the book.
Finally there was the mystery of Alice Frewin's disappearance while out sailing that occurs at the beginning of the book.
These elements were expertly interwoven, with the additional looming threat of an unhinged Richard tracking Kate down to her bolt hole on IOW.

Highly recommended.

Author: William Boyd
By Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

• New
• Mint Condition
• Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon
• Guaranteed packaging
• No quibbles returns

Cooking up a storm, 2010-07-18
There is no doubt that William Boyd is one of the best writers we have. His last novel Restless was a great, page turning, pulse quickening read and in Ordinary Thunderstorms, Boyd displays his great range as a writer. It works as an out and out thriller but also succeeds as a great book of boldly drawn characters all with there own traits and flaws. Initially the plotting seems implausible- would the lead character, Adam Kindred really not just hand in the incriminating folder (wanted by the bad guys) to the restaurant owners? and what possible motive would he have to kill the victim Wang? If the reader is prepared to swallow the implausible set up (all brilliantly and economically done by the end of Chapter one) then the story that follows is beautifully written. Kindred (wanted for a murder he didn't commit) has to disappear and becomes one of Londons homeless population. The villains in the book are all brilliantly described- Ingram Frizer (cunningly named after the Elizabethan thug who supposedly killed Christopher Marlowe in a pub fight??) is both perverse but strangely sympathetic and vunerable. The hitman is really convincingly professional about his trade and the other characters all have compelling and well drawn set ups. Kindred seems a little too sharp at coping on the streets and his later hook up with a police woman also seems implausible but overall time and time again the quality of the writing is simply top notch in its description of the way people survive and the milieu of the London settings. All in all another triumph for Boyd and this is no ordinary thriller- Boyd really cooks up a storm.

Author: Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows
By Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

• New
• Mint Condition
• Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon
• Guaranteed packaging
• No quibbles returns

Fabulous read, 2010-07-26
This is one of the best books I have read in a long time and I loved the way it was written in letter-form - I enjoyed 84 Charing Cross Road for that reason. I was so sad to finish it because I felt that the characters had become friends and I wanted the story to go on and on. Has made me want to read more about the occupation of Guernsey, as I knew nothing of it beforehand.

Author: J.K. Rowling
By Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

• New
• Mint Condition
• Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon
• Guaranteed packaging
• No quibbles returns

Harry Potter and the philosophers stone, 2010-07-20
This book is awesome, I cant stop reading it. Even when I have finished the book ill go back and read it again because it just doesn't get boring :)Thank you for the book it was a great birthday present XD

Author: Niki Segnit
By Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

• New
• Mint Condition
• Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon
• Guaranteed packaging
• No quibbles returns

A book for cooks - not a cook book, 2010-07-22
If you have progressed from slavishly following recipe cards, or you want to, then this is the best book for the kitchen you must have. It inspires you to think and try, and is well written, like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend. Her demolition of the overrated beetroot and chocolate cake combination is worth the money alone.
My copy is already stained and grubby, never trust a cookbook that is clean and hasn't been propped open with weights along side the mixing bowl and flour shaker.

Author: Neil Gaiman
By Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

• New
• Mint Condition
• Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon
• Guaranteed packaging
• No quibbles returns

a touch of magic, 2010-07-27
what a magical piece of work this book is. The type of book that holds ones attention and his hard to put down. A closed world exisiting in a graveyard. A book which draws you into this mystic dark place and all the characters within it.
When it starts, it's not what it seems, which makes it such a good read. This book will encourage reading, the imagination and hopefully make the reader go on to look for more books like this..pure genius.

Author: Khaled Hosseini
By Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

• New
• Mint Condition
• Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon
• Guaranteed packaging
• No quibbles returns

The author is a very clever storyteller., 2010-07-18
A brilliant well written book which was difficult to put down as I just wanted to keep reading on. Had to remind myself that it was fiction the more I got to know the characters as the book went on.

Author: Elizabeth Gilbert
By Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

• New
• Mint Condition
• Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon
• Guaranteed packaging
• No quibbles returns

thoroughly enjoyable and uplifting!, 2010-07-21
This totally lived up to the hype I loved every page! Funny, warm, inspiring and uplifting. We can all relate to her experiences. I really enjoyed this and am passing on copies to friends and family to enjoy too - a fab summer read!

Author: Khaled Hosseini
By Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

• New
• Mint Condition
• Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon
• Guaranteed packaging
• No quibbles returns

absolutely amazing and more!, 2010-07-09
I was unsure of reading this book at the beginning considering its themes and I was not sure of the plot, but I am happy to say that I was so wrong. The book centers around 2 women in Afganistan from the 1960s to th millenium and after. I finished this book in a day and I just could not put it down. The central characters are moulded so well and when they experience any kind of emotion, you do too. Throughout the whole book I rooted for both women and was so moved by their relationship and the other relationships in the book. I was left in tears multiple times. One of the best books I have read in a long time. It is truly moving and I honestly believe there is something for everyone to enjoy. Marvellous book.

Author: Alex Bellos
By Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

• New
• Mint Condition
• Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon
• Guaranteed packaging
• No quibbles returns

Interesting read, 2010-07-28
Interesting and accessible read describing a number of mathematical based concepts, often providing a cultural perspective on the discussion too - adding another dimension to the subject. Very interesting. Worth a visit.